album of the week: 10.4

Bad Religion

The Dissent of Man

Epitaph (2010)

why you'll love it: Strong honest album that doesn't stray far from Bad Religion's range

why you'll hate it: folk punk is getting played out. Do you really need more Bad Religion?

2001 was a remarkable year for Bad Religion. Reunited with once-estranged founding member, Brett Gurewitz, brought forth a new era for the band, which included a series of releases immediately reminiscent of their late eighties heyday. I remember passing by the TV in my college dorm one night, and a roommate snidely remarking "Shit man, Bad Religion, I'd expect them to be in walkers by now." That was damn near ten years ago! Now that Bad Religion's "nostalgic" era is also old news, where can the band go now?

Going into The Dissent of Man with this kind of mentality, and thinking I didn't really need anymore pessimistic societal lectures from Graffin & co. I ended up being pleasantly surprised! Rather than venture down into the No Control (1989) well yet again, there is a much more personal folk and blues style to the album. Folk punk has been a bit of a overstocked commodity as of late, but the group's age translates the sound much smoother than up and comers like The Gaslight Anthem. Gurewitz has a more graceful way of songwriting too that never comes off as Springsteen fan service. Hell, all the band needs to do is say "Yo, Recipe For Hate (1993). We did back then, and we're finally doing it again."

There are few things that will never change. Lots of backup melody vocals, familiarly tuned guitars, and intellectual dissections of religion. Aside from the standard 100mph opening track, this album is very mature and well paced. There are a couple lyrically embarrassing tracks like "Where The Fun is", but just as many new classics such as "Only Rain" and "Cyanide".

So yeah, I can't think of a better 30th anniversary release for this band. This is no landmark release for music in general, but Bad Religion seems to be exactly where they want to be right now. It's undeniably Bad Religion, and honestly mature without compromising either halves.